Under typical circumstances, the seams in a baby’s skull fully close at about two years old. With non-syndromic craniosynostosis, seams close early and impede brain growth. This can lead to an abnormal skull shape, as well as certain health effects.
There’s no clear indication of what causes non-syndromic craniosynostosis. The condition can be linked to genetics, or it could result from positioning within the womb. The condition is isolated, meaning it only affects a single seam in the skull.
Non-syndromic craniosynostosis is categorized according to which seam in the skull is impacted. In many cases, one of the four following seams is involved:
Skull appearance will differ according to which seam is affected.
The primary symptom of non-syndromic craniosynostosis is abnormal skull shape, which usually isn’t identified until the child is a few months old. In most instances, this will be the only symptom present. The classification of the disorder affects the specific abnormality. For example, metopic craniosynostosis causes a triangular shape, while sagittal craniosynostosis can cause the head to appear long and narrow.
If the disorder is not treated in time, other health effects can occur. This includes developmental delays, recurring headaches, problems with vision, and seizures. These health problems result from increasing pressure in the brain.
Doctors can diagnose this condition using physical examinations and imaging tests, such as CT scans. These scans help identify which seam has fused prematurely. Surgery is common with children who have non-syndromic craniosynostosis, but doctors may also recommend monitoring if the effects are not severe.
Should surgery be required, the following procedures are common:
Minimally invasive non-syndromic craniosynostosis procedures must take place before a child is six months old, while traditional surgeries are usually performed by age one.